Thursday, June 30, 2016

Interview with Caroline Cairn, Author of Forever and One Week

What made you decide to be an author? When I realized that life was too short to be spent wondering if I should or shouldn’t try and do it. Better try and fail than not try at all and regret it.

What do you like best about being a writer? What do you like the least? I love creating new worlds and characters. They are like new friends, and I travel with them, feel for them and follow them in their chaotic lives. It’s empowering and exciting. The time it takes to do it though, when you’re a busy (normal) person? Not so fun.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing? I have learnt to live for the day, and not look towards the future, so I’m less impatient at seeing results. Writing takes time to learn, it’s a craft. I’m also older (I hit the big 4-0 next year) so I understand people better, and f I do, my characters can only be more realistic.

Have you ever felt as if you were being dictated to while you wrote a book--as if the words came of their own accord? If yes, which book did that happen with? I’m a seat of the pants writer. Words don’t come of their own accord, but my plots do. I follow my characters and I learn and react with them. If the spontaneity keeps the storyline fresh and interesting for me, I can assume it will do the same for readers.

You’ve written 2 novels and are working on a third novel. What’s your favorite time management tip? If I had one, trust me, I would share it with the world. I write whenever I have time, and when I’m motivated. I know some authors swear by writing whether they feel like it or not, but if I do this, I write rubbish or boring stuff I have to delete the next day. When inspiration strikes, that’s when I write, for as long as I can. More importantly, I don’t beat myself up about it. I’m a slow writer. So what? It’s not a race. I write because I enjoy it, not to be stressed out of my mind because of it.

Are you a plotter or a pantser, i.e., do you outline your books ahead of time or are you an “organic” writer? Again, I’m a pantser. If I had to organize everything first, it would kill my interest in writing the book. I like being kept on my toes, and sometimes, the storyline or a character develops differently than what I had intended at the beginning. I love it when that happens.If you had one take away piece of advice for authors, what would it be? Inform yourself. Read writing blogs and books, scrutinize your favourite author’s style, and listen to impartial advice from beta readers and reviewers. There is a lot more to the writing craft than I first imagined and I’m still learning every day.

Tell me more about Forever and One WeekThe Spirits of Saoradh, who carry the guilt of a crime they committed when they were alive, now spend their ghostly days in the Void, dark nothingness where time and space are distorted. Until they get bound to a human. As often as needed, that human can call them to the real world, ask them to grant a wish, then send them back to the Void. The Spirits also have to follow strict rules or be punished, unaware that they can earn their redemption through a selfless sacrifice.

Spirit Logan despises the obedience he has to show to his humans, and prefers the enjoyable solitude of the Void. For three years, he has managed to threaten them into severing their bond, thus having his memory wiped of their existence. Except his latest human, an emotionless woman with a secret past, isn’t scared of him. Worse, she doesn’t care about his ability to make wishes come true.

Tessa, a twenty-six-year-old nursery teacher in Fort William, Scotland, doesn’t expect a sullen ghost only she can see and touch to burst through her solid defences. Both dismayed and intrigued, she offers Logan a deal he can’t refuse: to live with her in the human world for one week, at the end of which she will agree to release him.

Slowly, Tessa braves through the safety of her detachment towards people to show Logan some kindness. But the more her feelings deepen, the more Logan increases his distance…

How about an excerpt from Forever and One Week?

“What do you want?”

The sharpness of his voice didn’t shock her as much as him turning up in her dining room. She presented the coffee tin to the Spirit lurking in the shadowed corner. She didn’t notice herself pressing on the metal until it created a dent.

“I would like a full one, please.”

If he could fill the can with the same beans he had used the last time he had granted her wish, she would cry in happiness. His coffee had tasted like smooth chocolate with a hint of bitter nuttiness. The fruity flavour of her usual brand had suddenly vanished to blandness.

“Are you asking for freaking coffee again? Are you serious?”

Her extended arm began to ache. “Please, and I need some painting supplies, too.”

He crossed his arms. She couldn’t watch the expression on his face as it was bathed in darkness, but his posture was relaxed. “I thought you didn’t need me.” The sarcasm was drenched in triumph.

She brought the empty tin to her chest. He hadn’t been cross at her for her lack of reaction yesterday. He had been cross because he had been unable to rebuff her. “I take it you won’t give me anything.” She threw the tin in the bin.

Feet spread out in front of her fridge, she opted for the last of the yoghurts, the lemon flavour one she hated. Why the supermarkets insisted on using this vile fruit in their value range, she had no idea. Paper lid removed, she tucked into her breakfast without enthusiasm, standing in the middle of the room.

“Are you kidding me?”

She carried on eating, bracing herself for what was to come.

“Hey—” He grunted with annoyance. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Tessa.” The slightly acidic and too-sweet yoghurt churned her stomach.

“Well, Tessa, you need to wish for it. I can’t get you anything until you use the proper word. Say it.”She plunged her spoon in the foul creaminess. “What’s the point? You’re going to refuse me anyway.”

His arms unfolded as he levitated, crossed-legged, elbows wide. His fingertips drummed his thighs with increasing speed. “Try me.”

She didn’t bother replying. She knew his kind. People who had to have their way because they considered themselves so much smarter than others. Tessa dealt with them with casual indifference, because that meant they wouldn’t search for trouble. They would leave her alone.

But him?

He grated that part of her she had put to sleep a long time ago.

She didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

Yet it compelled her, like a chickenpox itch you know you shouldn’t scratch but can’t resist.

Once she had dropped the empty yoghurt pot in the bin, she proceeded to wash her spoon, aware of a glare cutting a hole at the back of her head. She wiped the cutlery dry with slow movements, blew on it then polished it. The sound of fingertips on denim was getting louder in her ears. So he was getting frustrated.

She couldn’t wait for his next move.

Water running from the tap, she rinsed her sponge, soaked it in a lavender-scented cleaning spray and wiped every nook and cranny, from the sink to the kitchen counter, with deliberate fussiness. She lifted her kettle and her toaster, pushed her plant to the left, then back to its place, and scrubbed those pesky corners. The cupboard doors were next, after a few more sprays of lavender.

If I started singing, would that be too much?

His hoarse breathing had turned into a low growl.

But she was too far gone to stop. So when her wrist got captured by a powerful hand, an unexpected thrill coursed through her.

“Say it,” he ordered. “Say how much you wish for coffee.”

His grip was painful. Implacable. It brought her back to reality, chased away that stupid excitement she never should have pursued. Logan was just like everyone else. No doubt he would resort to violence because she had taunted him. Because she hadn’t done as she was told.

So she shut herself down, and let him pull her to face him.

“Jesus Christ, not again.” He yanked his hand away from her.

Images of her mother flashed like a nightmare. She had to concentrate to keep her vision focused on him.

“How can you go from provoking me to this lifeless thing?”

She rubbed her wrist, where his print had marked her flesh. He could scream as much as he wanted and take out his anger on her. A calm resolution had flooded her senses. It shielded her soul. Nothing would hurt now. The soft glow of his eyes had intensified to blazing gold, a sheer contrast to his reddening face. His eyebrows were so low they could cast their own shadow over his cheeks. And his lips…

A painful twinge hit her in the throat.

His bottom lip was cut, the blood dried up as a crust. But it was his neck that had her stumbling back against her sink. It had two perfectly parallel, crimson crevices crossing from one side to the other. She was no expert, but these scars were fresh, and made by a razor-sharp blade. She could swear it. His tirade halted abruptly.

He seemed to hesitate between retreating in the corner and standing his ground. That he chose the latter didn’t surprise her.

Born in France, Caroline Cairn studied hotel management before spending a couple of years in England, Ireland and Belgium. In 2001, she and her husband settled close to the Loch Ness monster in the Highlands of Scotland, and soon, two children and about thirteen fish joined them.

Dramatic scenes are her favourite to work on, which is perhaps a reminiscence of those teenage years when every single one of her stories had to end in epic tragedy (Shakespeare had nothing on her). Thankfully, these days, she veers towards the happy-ever-after finale set in a glorious orange and red sunset.

Apart from writing, she loves digital fantasy art, loud rock music, and anything weird and new for her to discover.Caroline Cairn, thank you so much for being with us here today. I know my readers will enjoy your work and your interview.